Sculpting Sound with Maja Ratkje [Film]

The worlds of sound open to us as musicians seem limitless, endlessly unfolding in variety and possibility. So, even in a series of impressionistic moments from an upcoming film, it’s a delight to see composer Maja Ratkje play with sound.

The Norwegian musician and vocalist, an improviser frequent collaborator with artists like Jaap Blonk, is seen making wild sounds with her voice, experimenting with found sounds from field recordings and music boxes, and playing, too, with electronics and technology.

There’s perhaps not much more to say about this other than to let the experience of exploring sound in music wash over you. (It’s nice to see what I believe is her kid getting in on the action, too!) More background:

some impressions of the footage we filmed in 2010 (Berlin, Suffolk, Switzerland, Bruges, Trondheim, Oslo, and several other places all over Norway).

Edited by Ted Zbozien, Cleveland
Produced by Genesis Film, Haugesund/Oslo in co-production with dffb and IJB, Berlin

fascinating how she looks serious while producing this noise. I love art and experimantal music but this has nothing to do with that. The music scene is too crowded. Everyone thinks that he/she can be an artist just by beeing extremely radical and pretend to be serious about it. The best of all is that such “ARTIST” believe that they are real artists because their expression is not understood (and never will be) ,…sound sculpting my ass ,..this is noise pure. And if anyone says that noise is art,..ok than,…this can be discussed but hey,…you do not have to be an “ARTIST” to make noise dam it!

Actually, yes. Anyone can be an artist. Glad you just worked this out.

Barf

I’m guessing that you aren’t acquainted with the noise music scene nor many contemporary artists?

Horaflora

Are you sure you love experimental music?

PUhhhh

fascinating how she looks serious while producing this noise. I love art and experimantal music but this has nothing to do with that. The music scene is too crowded. Everyone thinks that he/she can be an artist just by beeing extremely radical and pretend to be serious about it. The best of all is that such “ARTIST” believe that they are real artists because their expression is not understood (and never will be) ,…sound sculpting my ass ,..this is noise pure. And if anyone says that noise is art,..ok than,…this can be discussed but hey,…you do not have to be an “ARTIST” to make noise dam it!

Thanks for the update! I followed some of Matje’s stuff back when she was doing collaboration with Norwegian Black Metal band Enslaved in 2007(I’m a major black metal fan). Her work was broad going between more traditional music all the way to pure noise. It’s clear she’s a sensitive being and its good to see her still pushing forward with her art. @4a7b93e4f77237134983f3a721679ec0:disqus If you think this is pure noise than I suggest educating yourself with what’s out there, likely you won’t because you have your tastes but if so then it makes everything you said moot. There is a person in this sound, controlling, performing and manipulating as their creative self desires, it has heart to it that much is obvious. On that note, how did CDM become so highjacked by trolls and assholes? I’ve been coming here for a long time and it seems like most of the people talking on here now have little to contribute but much to fight about. I come here for the new ideas not old narrow-minded opinions. Thanks Peter for parsing through the noise and hot air and bringing me regular doses of inspiration.

Thanks for the update! I followed some of Matje’s stuff back when she was doing collaboration with Norwegian Black Metal band Enslaved in 2007(I’m a major black metal fan). Her work was broad going between more traditional music all the way to pure noise. It’s clear she’s a sensitive being and its good to see her still pushing forward with her art. @4a7b93e4f77237134983f3a721679ec0:disqus If you think this is pure noise than I suggest educating yourself with what’s out there, likely you won’t because you have your tastes but if so then it makes everything you said moot. There is a person in this sound, controlling, performing and manipulating as their creative self desires, it has heart to it that much is obvious. On that note, how did CDM become so highjacked by trolls and assholes? I’ve been coming here for a long time and it seems like most of the people talking on here now have little to contribute but much to fight about. I come here for the new ideas not old narrow-minded opinions. Thanks Peter for parsing through the noise and hot air and bringing me regular doses of inspiration.

Anders Tveit

Great to hear about a fellow norwegian artist and compser but her name is not Matja ! it is Maja Ratkje.
Should be corrected.